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Driving with no traction battery

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by jimlyons, Oct 17, 2024.

  1. jimlyons

    jimlyons Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2007
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    Location:
    East Stroudsburg
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Looking for some confirmation on what happens if you keep driving a 2010 Prius III after the traction battery fails.

    I drove the car about 45 miles to my house after it failed. Confirmed the code with my mechanic.

    A guy 90 miles away from me will install a new OEM battery for $2500.00.

    He will not come to me.

    Question - does the Prius keep track of the miles driven after the traction battery fails?

    So halfway to this tech the car will reach this “limit” and will force me to get a tow truck?

    I never got the message about pull over and park in a safe place.

    I appreciate any help with this.

    2010 Prius III with 242K miles.
     
    Tombukt2 likes this.
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
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    Two
    It depends on the type of failure it has... Disconnecting the 12v for a few minutes will clear the codes until the computers notice the problem again. To be clear when the car notices a problem with the hybrid system it disables that system(limp mode) to protect the car. This could inexpensively be as easy as corrosion in the voltage sensing system, or it could be a cell failure that puts pack at risk of overheating in Summer months. When the problem gets severe enough vehicle engine won't restart once it stops and you'll be stuck in neutral or park.

    This device costs less than $20 and allows you monitor battery health and clear error codes as you drive with app like Dr. Prius and others: Panlong OBD2 Scanner Bluetooth OBDII Diagnostic Tool Car Code Reader Turn Off... | eBay
     
  3. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    The few I've run down the traction battery on till it died or more or less was unusable we're not in this model they were in the model earlier and the car would run drive sound like the transmission was slipping like crazy if you got into it too hard and got about 37 mi to the gallon that was about it I drove 60 mi to go pick up a new traction battery and then drove back the same 60 miles with the same bad battery still in the car carrying the new battery back to my shop and house to get it prepped to install You're not driving without the traction battery You're driving with the traction battery in place and connected It's just coding like having a heart attack
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Vehicle:
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    Plug-in Base
    there is no set limit. the battery tends to give early enough warning for you to be able to drive 90 miles no problem. that's a good price.
     
  5. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
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    Model:
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    You can get a NEW pack for a lot less. And it's a better battery.

    Toyota hybrid battery upgrade pack– NexPower Energy



     
  6. jonsey1886

    jonsey1886 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2021
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    Location:
    Roanoke
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    Sorry Jack's not getting a cent of mine nor any other intelligent person on here.

    Search the various threads here and on Reddit about how damn dangerous Project Lithium/NexCell Energy is.
     
    Grit and bisco like this.
  7. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    I've had NO issues with him. And NO issues with the lithium battery.
    Or the Sodium battery. It IS very good!
    I've read the threads and reddit is a joke. I've done the research.
    All batteries are dangerous. Just handle them correctly.

    I don't care what anyone says, I make my own judgements.
    Jack has been GREAT! I couldn't ask for a better experience.

    And I was addressing post #1.
     
  8. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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  9. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    If no traction battery then how did your I.c.e. even started up? I will wait for your answer.
     
  10. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Where would you get that idea from? I'm just stating my experience.

     
  11. AzusaPrius

    AzusaPrius Senior Member

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    Brian1954 likes this.